The morning was cloudy with cold wind and damp air. We left 263Medford with an uncomfortable ride before us, and it was made still more uncomfortable by the running of my horse which frightened my wife not a little. After arriving, I went to the Office and passed my time as usual, in writing my Journal and doing little or nothing else. I wrote a Note to Mrs. Woods and one to Col. Tyler,1 the two things I had set down for myself to do. Examined and corrected my Accounts with my father, and by that time it became necessary to start for Quincy.

We arrived without any accident to dine. The afternoon passed in making out more of the Catalogue of my father’s books, though it progresses but slowly. Saw my Mother who seemed pretty well, growing better of her attack fast. She seems perhaps more lively than I had expected, but my father shows a manifest change. A kind of want of purpose which alarms me, as I think I see in it the source of much restlessness and of some danger. But I hardly dare to think much about it. Evening, a short visit from Josiah Quincy and his Wife, who have just come out here.2 Conversation with my father.